Commander puts 30-day ban on alcohol for incoming airmen in Korea

Jul. 3, 2014 - 06:00AM
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Airmen at Osan Air Base, South Korea, participate in a 5k run around the flightline. Incoming airmen to bases in South Korea cannot purchase or drink alcohol during their first 30 days in country. (Master Sgt. Paul Holcomb / Air Force)

Incoming airmen to bases in South Korea cannot purchase or drink alcohol during their first 30 days in country, the 7th Air Forces commander announced as part of a new “Korean Readiness Orientation” policy.

“We are guests here and not only do our actions matter, they have strategic implications,” Lt. Gen. Jan-Marc Jouas said in a release published in the Crimson Sky, an Air Force newspaper. “This is a fresh start to change the tone in Korea and leave a culture that is better than how we found it.”

The new policy is directed toward “indoctrinating all Airmen newly assigned to the Republic of Korea with the highest standards of readiness, safety, health, welfare, good order and discipline,” according to the release. In addition to not drinking, airmen must go through a 7th Air Force mission brief, a U.S. Forces Korea intelligence estimate and operation plan review, anti-terrorism/force protection briefings, unit-specific mission orientations, goals development planning for young officers and enlisted airmen, sexual assault prevention and response training, and alcohol awareness training.

Initial feedback must be completed by their assigned supervisors.

Airmen are also encouraged to tour the demilitarized zone as part of their orientation, according to the release.